Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning board approves conversion of 214 North 15th to two‑family with deed restrictions
Summary
The board approved the conversion of 214 North 15th Street from a single‑family to a two‑family home, granting variances for lot area and parking with conditions including deed restrictions that prevent bedrooms in the attic or basement and limit future conversion without board review.
The Kenilworth Planning Board voted to approve the conversion of a single‑family house at 214 North 15th Street to a two‑family residence, granting requested C2 hardship variances with specific conditions to protect neighborhood function and safety.
Counsel Christopher Rodriguez, architect Anoir Al‑Khatib and planner Ricardo Fernandez presented the application, which seeks relief from the 7,500‑square‑foot lot requirement (the lot is roughly 5,500 sq ft), a reduction in required on‑site parking (applicants propose two on‑site spaces rather than the four typically required), and a minor driveway width waiver. Planner Fernandez testified the lot is a preexisting nonconformity in a neighborhood that already contains several two‑family properties of similar size; he argued the renovation would improve housing quality and was consistent with nearby development patterns.
Board professionals raised concerns about parking coordination if units were rented separately in the future and about a full bathroom and separate basement entrance that could ease an unlawful conversion to an additional dwelling. The board asked for measures to reduce conversion risk: counsel agreed to a deed restriction preventing the basement and attic from being used as independent dwelling units or bedrooms without returning to the board, and the applicant accepted conditions limiting basement/attic bedrooms and addressing buffering and HVAC screening near adjacent commercial property.
Mr. Lady moved to approve the application with the agreed conditions; Mr. Pantina seconded. The roll call vote recorded a majority in favor with one member opposed. The board asked counsel to prepare deed‑restriction language and directed the applicant's professionals to provide final exhibits consistent with conditions before issuance of any zoning compliance documentation.
The approval allows the owner to proceed with the renovation subject to the drafting and recordation of the deed restriction and any other standard municipal permitting requirements.
